How Translation Services Improve Global Communication During a Crisis

Beth Worthy

5/5/2020

The coronavirus pandemic has shaken world economies and changed the way companies do business. Stay-at-home orders have led to unimaginable effects that have rippled across every sector of the economy.

Businesses that use translation services are also feeling the impact of Covid-19. Despite this, translation services are still critical, especially in global pandemics that require an internationally coordinated response.

For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) routinely issues press conferences and briefings about the state of the coronavirus pandemic. These statements have to be accurately translated into different languages to reach all countries around the world.

Medical translation services companies play a critical role in ensuring accurate translation of the messages, which have a direct impact on the health of people around the world.

How Translation Services Can Help in a Crisis

The work of professional translators is critical during a crisis, such as the coronavirus. Translators help facilitate international communication for mutual cooperation.

Translation services providers that are physically present at the heart of a crisis can provide immediate necessary services, such as translating medical information. The translators can also bridge the communication gap between rescue teams from different countries, ensuring accurate information is passed, and the teams work harmoniously to tackle the crisis.

Remote translators are also critical during crises. The professionals can translate and transcribe medical and legal information through video, telephone, or email to ensure teams from different countries have the right information.

Addressing Communication Needs During a Crisis

A global crisis, such as the coronavirus pandemic, exposes businesses to external shocks that affect their operations. During such a crisis, companies need to step up and ensure continuity by effectively addressing the needs of their customers, employees, and shareholders. The services of a translation company are more important than ever at this time.

Here are three ways in which translation companies can help businesses navigate global crises.

i) Optimize Internal Procedures

Companies can use translation companies to communicate with their global customers, employees, and shareholders. For example, with the Covid-19 outbreak, companies can create internal procedures to help prevent the spread of the virus. These procedures can be translated into different languages to ensure all employees, including non-English speaking ones, stay safe.

ii) Disaster Communication Translation

It’s normal to be afraid of the unknown, so when disasters strike, employees and customers are often afraid. For businesses that operate in multiple countries or whose suppliers, employees, and customers speak various languages, proper communication is critical for them at such times.

Translation companies can translate internal company announcements to reach everyone. Such messages can better inform their audiences and show their efforts to keeping the company afloat during uncertain times.

iii) Legal Translation Services

Disasters can force companies to make painful decisions to cut costs. For example, businesses may be forced to cut on employee benefits or even lay off some workers.

Companies need to protect themselves from future litigation through clear legal documents. These documents may need to be translated into different languages to ensure employees understand and accept the decisions being made.

The above is an overview of how translation services can improve global communication during crises.

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Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy is the President of GMR Transcription Services, Inc an Orange County, California based company that has been providing accurate and affordable transcription services since 2004. She has enjoyed success at GMR for almost ten years now and has helped the company grow. Within two years of Beth managing GMR Transcription, it had doubled in sales and was named one of the OC Business Journal’s fastest-growing private companies. Outside of work, she likes spending time with her husband and two kids.